In An Age Before

by Phantom Bard

Part 298 posted, in which Helluin and the Riders of Norðr-vestandóttir Bý aid the Third Marshal Haleth in Rohan's defeat of the Easterling invaders. Brutal weather, disease, and failing morale play a part. Aldburg is no sooner freed of the eastern threat when tidings come of the Dunlending's invasion from the west. OCs galore as usual.

163. In An Age Before Chapter 163

In An Age Before – Part 163

Chapter One Hundred-eight

Fornost and Khazad-dûm – The Third Age of the Sun

Now on 28 Gwirith, as Beinvír climbed the Endless Stair in Khazad-dûm, the Army of Arthedain and their allies prepared all things for the execution of the king's strategy. Mounted troops tended their horses and honed their weapons. Rations, water, and many extra spears were prepared and loaded aboard the wagons of the supply train. Two hours ere dawn on the 31st, three thousand cavalry of Arthedain and the five hundred Knights of Imladris would ride out to harry their foes with the rising of the sun.

On those last days ere the Men of the West rode to war, Helluin Maeg-mórmenel drilled a special detail of infantry that she had requested following the report she had provided to King Araval. Now fifty Men stood with her in E-Nbelthed Tal, the killing ground of the North Fortress that lay at the dead end of the zigzagging way through the five guarded gates. They stared up at the battlements ten fathoms above their heads, and at the straight walls of close fitted monoliths that hemmed them in. Each bore a shield, hastily ground and polished on its concave inner face, a process that would be continued and perfected o'er the next two days. 'Twas 28 Gwirith and the foe would begin their march through the North Downs that evening. On the night of 1 Lothron, (May 1st), their city would be besieged.

"Forty splashes of white paint ye see upon yonder walls," the dark Noldo called out. "Choose one and focus thither the light of Anor."

The soldiers held forth their shields, backwards in their experience, presenting thus to the enemy that face which they would normally hold against their own bodies. Slowly they learnt to catch the light of the sun, and then to direct it towards those spots of white paint upon the surrounding walls. 'Twas a clumsy effort at first, yet after a few hours practice, the Men could reliably catch and direct the sunlight, illuminating their targets with faint splashes of light. Watching them, Helluin nodded to herself. When those most fell of their foes came 'nigh, they would be prepared. She then chose the five Men she deemed most proficient and bid them join her for special training whilst their comrades were dismissed to the further polishing of their shields.

From the battlements at the furthest end of E-Nbelthed Tal, a wooden beam of twenty feet in length o'erhung the killing ground. Dangling from it by a rope some eight feet above the pavement was a black cloak filled with straw. At Helluin's command, 'twas set in motion by Men on the wall walk above, to swing to and fro as a moving target.

"Now the task becomes far harder, for the target waits not, but moves as a real foe would," she said, "yet I deem this skill ye can master, for a special duty ye shall have in battle. Pray let your enmity for the Witch King inspire your hands to track this target."

Whilst they practiced their new exercise, Helluin spoke with a master smith of the North Kingdom, explaining her intent. He had watched the practice session and knew just what would be needed to accomplish her strategy. The craftsman took his leave, and in his smithy set his journeymen and his apprentices to render mirror finishes on five heirloom shields that had come to Elendil himself from Khazad-dûm, in the days of the council at Lindon ere the march of the Last Alliance.

The final day before battle seemed to fly by. 'Twas the night of 29 Gwirith. Men hardened their resolve, took their evening meal, and then a few hours sleep ere they rode to war. In the third hour ere dawn on the 30th they were mustered from their barracks to the courtyard where they mounted up and formed their companies. The three cavalry corps of Arthedain each stood one thousand strong behind their officers, whilst to their side, the five hundred Knights of Imladris waited with the Lords Elrond and Glorfindel at their head.

Finally, as the hour of their riding drew 'nigh, King Araval arrived with his heir, Prince Araphant, and their squires. They mounted their horses just inside the gate, and the king turned his charger to address his Men.

"All of ye know the jeopardy thrust upon us by the malice of the Witch King, and though peace is dearer to us than war, 'tis to preserve our folk from the threat of Angmar that we must needs ride to battle," the king called out in a mighty voice that reached all gathered there.

"This morn we take the fight to our enemy, for his troops shy from the blessed light of Anor, favoring the dark in which such evil breeds. We ride hence to find them, and in the daylight we shall assail them in their camp where they expect none, for as bullies art wont to do, they deem the fighting to be done on their own terms. This we do not accept! We shall show them that the day brings more for them to fear than the light of the sun alone!"

Men cheered and clashed spears against shields, and their horses stamped and snorted, feeling the excitement of their riders. It continued a while, yet eventually the knights settled and gave their attention again to their lord.

"'Tis our goal to reduce the count of our foes so much as we can ere they come 'nigh Fornost. Daylight is our ally. Other allies too have we," he said, casting a glance to the Noldor and dipping his head in respect to Elrond and Glorfindel, "mighty allies who have fought this foe through years uncounted. Yet more, tidings have come telling that the Laiquendi of Eriador have embattled the foe since they began their march from Carn Dûm, having slain already o'er a thousand."

This was greeted with astonishment and much muttering, for few knew 'aught of the Green Elves or what they did. Few were the tales of that kindred, and none were seen.

"Should ye come upon Yrch or evil Men slain by arrows that none are seen to have shot, whether upon the trail or in battle, ye shall know 'tis these most stealthy of allies and fear them not. Now as they have done, we too shall do. Slay such as ye can, but preserve your own lives as well, for your arms shall be needed when the siege begins. Ride now, quietly and with good speed, to find our foes and attack with Anor's rising."

The king turned his mount, and with a sweep of his arm bid his warriors forward, and they followed him eagerly as he rode through the inner gate, down the guarded road, and through the outer gate. Then they passed away into the dark that blanketed the North Downs, and soon disappeared from the sight of the sentries upon the walls.

Now though they had set out from Fornost two hours ere dawn, with their horses trotting, (the gait faster than a walk that horses can most easily maintain o'er long distances), the cavalry of Arthedain had covered only about five leagues when the eastern sky brightened, heralding the coming dawn. Their charge would not come with Anor's rising, and that was for the better.

The Army of Angmar had marched through the night, their second amidst the North Downs, covering some nine leagues ere they set their camp for the day and hunkered down 'neath hides or coarse woven canvas, whilst the Tor hastily dug shallow holes and covered themselves with earth. They were forty miles northeast of Fornost, 'twixt the most southerly rows of the downs, and therefore some twenty-five miles ahead of their attackers.

The king's forces rode 'cross the flat lands to the south of the downs, and their vanguard kept a sharp watch for the scouts, sent forth from Fornost aforetime to learn the whereabouts of the enemy. They continued through the dawn and the hours of the morn, 'til finally, two hours ere noon, the scouts shadowing the enemy made contact with the scouts preceding the cavalry and they traded tidings. The scouts from the vanguard then hastened back to the army to report to the king.

"My lord, the enemy is encamped two miles ahead 'twixt the first and second rows of the downs," the scout said as he stood before King Araval, Prince Araphant, and the Lords Elrond and Glorfindel. "They have not moved since ere daybreak."

"That is good tidings," the king said, "for we can engage the enemy within two hours, reserving some time to rest horses and Men ere our attack."

"Aye, t'will then be high noon and we shall enjoy the greatest advantage Anor can gift us," added the prince.

"A strange thing too we have heard," the scout said, and at a brow raised in question by his lord, he continued, saying, "such scouts as the enemy sent forth have been slain each night, and so since entering the downs they send forth none, and by nightfall, most of their sentries posted about the camp have also been slain by arrow fire."

"'Tis the Laiquendi," Glorfindel said with certainty. "They extract blood from their foes whilst leaving their encampments blind."

"Thy assault shalt go unmarked 'til we are upon them," Elrond added.

With a smile, King Araval called a captain and said to him, "pass the order that we shall rest the horses and the Men shall take their noon meal early. The supply train we shall leave here, and they shall withdraw five miles west. The cavalry rides in one hour and attacks at noon, for the foe lies but two miles ahead, north o'er the downs."

The captain saluted and hastened forth to spread the word. 'Twas a spring in his step and the Elves could sense the joy and anticipation in his heart. All 'round them, Men were already dismounting and tending their horses ere they took their midday rations.

As with any respite upon the verge of battle, that time seemed to pass in but a few heartbeats. An hour ere noon, the cavalry remounted and set off at a trot, riding parallel to the downs and craving slaughter. Behind them, the supply wagons turned and started their five-mile retreat back towards Fornost, intending to meet the cavalry following their attack.

After forty minutes a halt was called and two scouts from the vanguard dismounted and slipped away to climb the down to their north afoot. When they returned, they reported some smoke and the faint stench of the Yrch coming from several furlongs to the east. As the riders looked towards those downs still ahead, a flash, as of sunlight reflected off bright metal, came from the next down where the crest rolled upwards. 'Twas just o'er three furlongs ahead.

"My lord, I wager 'tis the Green Elves signaling the enemy's position, for I doubt not that they are well aware of us," Elrond said.

Beside him, Glorfindel nodded in agreement. "Waste not thy efforts seeking them," he said. "They have acted to save us time by revealing the foe that they have tracked and assailed for some weeks."

The king agreed. He had no reason to seek their hidden allies since 'twas obvious that those allies sought to remain hidden.

"I want our forces to form a line 'cross the upper slopes of the down whence the flash came," King Araval said to his captains. "Order the riders in a single rank. We charge down the steep north face into their camp, and then continue up the gentler south slope of the next down, riding out of their sight just past the crest, to withdraw west a mile ere crossing back into the flat lands south of the downs. Should each rider slay but one foe, t'will take the sixth part of their strength in one charge, and by the grace of the Valar, we shall lose but a few of our own."

The captains voiced their agreement, though they knew that some of their Men would have preferred to maintain an engagement and chance to slay more than a single foe in their charge. Yet the king's plan was sound. It capitalized on surprise and shock, and gave the enemy scant opportunity to retaliate ere their own forces made good their escape. And on the morrow they would repeat the tactic, slaying another three and one-half thousands, thereby reducing those left to besiege their city by seven thousands.

"One thing further," Elrond said, and the captains turned to heed him. "Tell the riders to be wary of patches of turned earth, lest their horses lose their footing as they tread o'er the Tor buried 'neath the surface."

The captains gulped. No cavalryman would chance injuring his mount by riding it o'er unstable ground, and all could imagine the fate of one unhorsed amidst a camp of Yrch. Man and horse would greet that day's nightfall in a stewpot.

Now the word was passed as the captains rode back down the line, and at the king's order, they walked their horses up the gentle southern slope of the down. The line stopped and held some twenty feet shy of the crest, still out of sight to any in the bottomlands ahead. Of the Green Elves who had signaled them aforetime, they saw none.

Two scouts dismounted and crept to the top of the down, and there they took the measure of the enemy camp. 'Twas a chaotic affair, extending 'cross the bottomlands for 'nigh on half a mile, wherein clumps of Men dozed 'neath tarps hastily rigged on spear poles to provide some shade, whilst the Yrch lay where'er they had cast themselves down, covering their heads with their cloaks, or pulling their tunics up, inside out o'er their heads to escape such of the daylight as they could best contrive. Amongst them were patches of turned earth that told of a dozing threat. At the eastern end of the camp were parked a line of wooden barrows, and chained to them, the slaves whose sad lot it was to push the host's supplies. Here and there, untended cook fires had died to ashes. 'Round the perimeter, a few sentries lay, shot dead and thereafter ignored. Of the Ringwraith, they saw 'naught. Carefully, the scouts crept back and reported their findings to the king.

"'Tis 'naught to stay our attack, my lord," a scout said. "Their sentries lie dead and none move in the camp. Whate'er officers they may have doze alongside their common soldiers."

"Very well," Araval said, "'tis much as expected. Remount now. We charge on my command."

Now the onslaught of the Knights of Arthedain and Imladris was bitter, and the only warning their foes received was the thunder of the horses' hooves for the scant seconds it took to ride down upon the enemy's camp. A solid wall of spears were lowered by the single line of horsemen that stretched for almost half a mile in breadth. Down the steep face of the northward slope they charged at a gallop, and only some few of the Hillmen and Yrch even managed to shake themselves from sleep to receive their wounds. Indeed most of those slain were taken with down thrusts of spears as they lay on the ground, or were trod on by the hooves of the horses. The line passed through the camp, and scarcely had any riders the time to thrust a weapon at a second foe ere they were riding up the gentler slopes of the facing downs. And then the hoof beats faded as the cavalry topped the northern side of the bottomland, eclipsed from their stunned enemy's sight by the crest, and leaving 'naught but dust and blood in their wake. Alone amongst all the Men in the host, only the slaves were spared.

The cavalry line turned west and rode away from the slaughter, slowing to a canter and finally to a trot. In eight minutes, they were o'er a mile away, and at the king's command, they turned south, rode back o'er the crest of the northern down, crossed the bottomland, and then climbed the southern down, finally riding back into the flat lands south of the downs and continuing west to rejoin their supply train. By then the Men and Elves had caught their breath. Their heartbeats had slowed from the racing pace brought on by the excitement of battle, and they began to feel elation at their victory. In the flatlands, they paced the supply train at a walk, resting their mounts and speaking softly 'twixt themselves in celebration.

The allies continued west for another five hours, covering twenty-five miles back towards Fornost ere they set a camp for the night at a distance of a league from the southern verge of the downs. They were thus a full night's march for their foes away from the scene of their ambush, and deemed themselves safe from retaliation during the coming hours of darkness. Even so, a full complement of sentries ringed the camp in watches of two hours, and cook fires were extinguished following the evening meal. 'Round midnight, parties of scouts were sent to the downs, to climb the southern faces in stealth and keep watch from the crest for the march of Angmar.

In the darkness, whilst Men slept and Elves reviewed their memories of the battle, the Laiquendi slew those Yrch and Men left behind because they were deemed too badly wounded to continue in the invasion, and then took another three hundred lives from amidst the demoralized march of the Army of Angmar.

Back at Fornost on 30 Gwirith, Helluin strode the halls of the palace, searching for another element of her plan. This she finally found 'round mid-morning affixed to a wall in the hall outside the royal family's bedchambers. 'Twas an old mirror, framed in oak, and measuring two rangar in breadth by three rangar in height. The Men detailed to attend her stripped the heirloom from the wall and took it to be crated for transport. They questioned not the dark Noldo's bidding, for they knew she had the king's grace to order what she would for the prosecution of the war.

Now the mirror was crated and the crate's lid hinged to open downward as would a loading ramp, and then the crate was affixed to the tailgate of a short wagon's bed, to be drawn by a team of two.

That night the slow clop of horse hooves marked the wagon's path to E-Nbelthed Tal wherein Helluin's troops were gathered for their final session of training. The previously empty space had been dressed with the simulacrum of a battlefield, a few campfires and sundry segments of fence, Yrch high. Amidst this hastily fabricated landscape of war stood forty poles of four rangar in height, from each of which hung a black cloth the size of a bed sheet. The wagon was parked just inside the killing ground and its wheels chocked. Then the lid of the crate was lowered, revealing the mirror, and the Men regarded it without understanding.

For the next hour, the killing ground was lit with fire and wreathed in smoke, but when 'twas done, the Men understood how they would achieve their part in the defense of their city, and all felt pride in the skills they'd learnt 'neath the ancient warrior's tutelage. Thereafter the mirror was secured and the wagon returned to the courtyard behind the inner gate of Fornost, whilst in E-Nbelthed Tal, the practice field was returned to its former emptiness as if 'naught had come to pass therein. The following night, these soldiers' new skills would be tested with deadly earnest.

Now as 1 Lothron dawned, the cavalry camp came to life. Knights donned their armor and weapons whilst grooms checked the horses and tack. Men and Elves broke their fasts in the first hour of daylight. Soon the scouts returned from the downs with tidings of that day's camp of the invaders. In the night, the host of Angmar had passed through the bottomland 'twixt the southernmost rows of downs, coming beyond the cavalry's camp and advancing to within seven miles of Fornost Erain.

In the third hour after dawn, with the sun beaming down in the late spring sky, the cavalry mounted and rode obliquely towards the downs at a walk, closing on the enemy's camp as they drew closer to home. When they came 'nigh and two furlongs separated their column from the southern slope of the downs, there came again a flash from a short ways ahead. 'Twas the Laiquendi marking the position of their foes, just as they had aforetime.

King Araval checked the sun. Anor stood still two hours shy of the zenith. On this morn, the scouts had told of the enemy's camp, lying in the bottomland 'twixt the downs, but at a place where the northern slope of the southern down stood so steep as to be a cliff that no horsemen could safely navigate. Worse, the low ground at its feet lay in shadow, offering some comfort to the Yrch, for the path of Anor was still through the southern sky at that season. Their direct and easy assault route of a day ago could not be repeated.

"How much hay have we remaining as fodder for the horses," the king asked.

"Some dozen bales in the last wagon, m'lord," a wagon driver answered. "Grass is already abundant, and so we brought only the single wagon load."

"So half full then?"

"Aye, just so."

"Now, how much lamp oil have we remaining, and how much cooking oil?" The king asked his quartermaster.

"Of lamp oil, but a quarter-rundlet¹ is left, my lord, for we brought little, intending our camps to be dark," the quartermaster reported, then after a moment for thought, he added, "and of cooking oil, a half-rundlet remains." ¹(a rundlet = 18 US gallons)

"So 'nigh 14 gallons of oil, all told."

"Somewhat less, but aye, close to 14 gallons," the quartermaster replied.

Off to the side, Elrond and Glorfindel smiled, for they discerned the king's intent.

Now after some preparations, the cavalry rode off to the east, back the way they had come the night before, whilst the wagon driver urged his team up the gentle southern slope of the down whence the flash of light had come. Two squires, a groom, a cook, and two wagon master's apprentices accompanied him. Eight feet shy of the crest he stopped and chocked the wagon's wheels. Then he unhitched his team and the groom soothed the horses whilst leading them off to wait partway downslope.

The two squires cut the bindings on the hay bales, and he spread the hay to loosen it and fill the bed of his wagon. Once he was satisfied, the cook poured the oil o'er all. Then they kindled a small trench fire further downslope and waited, watching the sun.

After they had departed from the supply train, the cavalry rode a mile east ere they turned north, coming up o'er the down and into the bottomland on the other side. They tarried not, but continued up the gentle southern slope of the facing down to the north, and once o'er the crest, turned west and rode at a trot. Soon they had come 'nigh the place of the enemy's camp, and scouts espied the foe at rest in the shadowed lee of the cliff, and the adjacent bottomland 'twixt the rows of downs. The Yrch and Men were no more vigilant than they had been a day ago. The scouts reported all they had seen to the king, and then they waited, watching the sun.

Now when the squires and the wagon driver agreed that Anor stood at the zenith, they gathered all hands 'round the wagon and pushed it forward far enough to reach the crest. Then the groom came from where the horses stood, and gathering the flaming brands from the trench fire, hastened forward and flung them into the wagon bed. The oiled hay went up with a great whoosh and flames leapt into the midday sunlight. Smoke rose, to be marked as a sign by the cavalry waiting 'cross the bottomland. Then the Men heaved, and with effort, pushed the wagon o'er the crest. It took gladly to the downhill slope, and gained speed equal to a Man's fast walk, yet 'twas but three fathoms of downslope ere it came to the edge of the cliff. There the wagon and its flaming contents went airborne, and as its speed was not great, it fell 'nigh straight down the cliff face, bouncing once and breaking apart as it neared the bottom. There it spilled its flaming contents and its own great weight of broken sides, bed, axles, and wheels upon the heads of the Yrch, who had barely sufficient forewarning to glance upwards in horror.

The great crash of the impact and the shrieks of the Yrch roused the Hillmen from their slumber, and they stared in mute shock as flaming hay and parts of the wagon settled amidst a cloud of smoke and dust and broken bodies. Some of the Yrch managed to flee the crash, a number of them aflame, others wounded, and they held the attention of all the others in the camp.

The Hillmen had just begun to move forward, to offer such aid as they could, when all heard the thunder of hooves. Those still able to whipped 'round towards the sound, and there they beheld the cavalry of the allies, galloping towards them on a diagonal path descending the slope of the down to their north, with glints of sunlight flashing upon the heads of their lowered spears.

In a heartbeat the riders were upon them, and they rode down those standing before them, slaying many as the Hillmen and Yrch stood petrified in terror. And then just as quickly, the riders were beyond the camp, passing east to west through the bottomland and galloping back up the slope to their north. The surviving Hillmen and Yrch could only look after them in dismay. In what seemed but a few heartbeats, the cavalry had crested the down and were gone, leaving only hoof prints and a cloud of dust to mark their path. Behind them lay 'nigh three thousands of their comrades, run down or speared, whilst 'neath the cliff, the remains of the hay wagon continued to burn.

Beyond the crest of the down the cavalry slowed to a walk for to rest their horses. Again they had won a victory, slaying their foes through distraction and the suddenness of their onslaught. They knew that in the coming hours of darkness, the remaining host of Angmar would complete their march and threaten Fornost, which now lay but seven miles west. The next battle would be fought before their own walls, but for now, they walked their horses towards home, and when they had come a mile, the king ordered them south, back o'er the crest to descend the downslope, 'cross the bottomland, then o'er the southernmost down and into the flatland where their supply train waited.

When the cavalry and their support personnel met, they stopped for an hour to take the noon meal, now an hour delayed, and then they made their way west to Fornost at a leisurely pace. Finally they came to the last mile before the northern fortress and the downs failed. The cavalry turned north onto the Road, and before them lay the walls of their home but a half mile ahead. They arrived in the fourth hour past noon, and the people of the city cheered as their riders came through the gate.

The cavalry stood down from their day's duty whilst horses and weapons were tended, and many were the tales told o'er supper and a pint. Yet behind all their glad tidings of victory were the details of a foe still numbering some fourteen thousands, who would arrive sometime during the night, seething with hatred and the desire for revenge, and with them, the two score Trolls that had not been seen during the daytime raids. The gravity of the situation was reinforced by the companies of infantry marching through the city to the gate, or to their posts upon the walls.

Now in the fourth hour of darkness, which at that time of year was 'nigh midnight, scouts returned to the city and reported to the king that the host of Angmar had come within two miles of Fornost. Then the charcoal in the tripod cauldrons upon the wall walks was lit to ignite the archers' arrows, and the catapult crews wound back the ratcheting windlasses, cocking the long booms to their firing position, and raising the counterweights that would whip those booms forward. Shot was set in the slings at the ends of the booms, and fields of fire were checked.

The infantry marched from the gate to take up their assigned positions on the field, and following them, a wagon drawn by a pair of draft horses rolled forth and drove up a small hillock to the south of the infantry positions. There the crated mirror was exposed, and the fifty soldiers that Helluin had trained deployed in an arc behind it. The Noldo vaulted onto the wagon's bench to keep watch for the enemy.

In the bottomlands 'twixt the downs, the defenders could see torches approaching, and they could hear the tramp of feet, the screeches of the Yrch, and the bellows of the Tor. The host of Angmar was still too distant to make out individuals, but that would soon change, for the enemy advanced at a rapid pace, unchallenged and seemingly eager for battle. O'er the next third part of an hour they drew 'nigh, and now Men and Elves could see details in the roiling mass of figures. The foe showed no disciplined order within their ranks, save that the Hillmen and Yrch clove mostly to their own kinds. Amidst them, the Tor lumbered forward, brandishing massive studded clubs, and heedless of any who failed to avoid their feet. Indeed Angmar's troops gave them as wide a berth as possible so as not to be crushed. As they came closer, it seemed to the Elves and the most sharp-sighted Men that here or there a figure would fall and not get up. Some of these fell from the outermost files, whilst others fell from within the press of the march.

And just what is wrong with this picture, Helluin thought to herself as she watched the advance of the host of Angmar from atop the wagon bench. Blooded by the cavalry on the last two days to the loss of o'er six thousands, whilst enduring the sniping of the Laiquendi since leaving their own lands, and still they race forward as starving Men to table. They should show some fear of their foes, bullies and cowards that they are, and some reluctance to engage. Aye, wary they should be. 'Tis the fear of worse than death that drives them, I wager, so then where does that miserable wraith skulk, pray tell? I have a welcome to offer him that he shalt find most bitter.

To Be Continued